The Watcher On The Ward (updated weekly)

Chapter 3- Catalyst

The morning had brought no respite. The buzz of activity in the emergency department continued unabated as the day shift began. Karla and Jason were making their rounds, checking on their patients and ensuring everything was running smoothly. The sense of unease from the previous night still lingered, especially with Cameron's unpredictable behaviour.

Karla was just finishing up her notes when she received a page from the nurse monitoring their patient. The message was brief but alarming: "Patient showing signs of distress. Urgent review needed."

Karla's heart skipped a beat. She looked up and caught Jason's eye. He nodded, already heading towards the patient's room with her.

As they arrived, they found Cameron already there, speaking with a sense of urgency to the nursing staff. The patient, Mr. Thompson, was clearly struggling—his breathing was laboured, and he appeared disoriented. Karla noticed his abdomen was distended; a troubling sign given his recent surgery.

"What's going on?" Karla asked, her voice steady despite the rising tension.

Cameron looked up, his face a mix of determination and something else—almost a hint of frustration. "I've decided to administer a high dose of broad-spectrum antibiotics and initiate another round of IV fluids. The fluid buildup in his abdomen is concerning, and we need to act quickly to prevent sepsis."

Karla's eyes widened slightly. "You're increasing the antibiotics without waiting for the culture results? That could lead to resistance or an allergic reaction. We need to be careful."

Jason, who had been reviewing the patient's charts, chimed in, "We should consult with Dr Foster before making any major changes. This isn't a routine case."

Cameron's expression hardened. "We don't have time for that. The patient's condition is deteriorating. We need to take decisive action now."

Karla took a deep breath, trying to stay calm despite the rising tension. "We're all concerned about Mr. Thompson's condition. But acting impulsively could make things worse. Let's stick to the plan and wait for the results before making any more decisions."

Before Cameron could respond, the door to the room opened, and Dr Foster entered, her expression stern. She had evidently heard the commotion and came to investigate.

"What's the situation?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room.

Cameron immediately spoke up, explaining his decision to increase the antibiotics and fluids. "I felt it was necessary to act fast. The patient was showing signs of sepsis, and we needed to intervene immediately."

Foster listened carefully, her gaze shifting between Cameron and the patient. "You made a decision based on your instincts, which is admirable, but it's crucial to follow protocol. We need to ensure that every intervention is justified, especially with a patient in Mr. Thompson's condition."

She turned to Karla and Jason. "What do you both think?"

Karla exchanged a glance with Jason before speaking. "I agree with you, Dr Foster. While Cameron's intention was to act quickly, we need to wait for the test results to guide our treatment. Administering antibiotics without knowing the cause of the infection could have serious consequences."

Jason nodded in agreement. "We should have consulted with you before making such a significant change. The risks of an incorrect treatment are too high."

Dr Foster's face remained impassive as she addressed Cameron. "From now on, any significant changes in treatment should be discussed with the team first. We need to be collaborative in our approach, especially with complex cases like this."